Mayapur Chandrodaya Temple Bhajans 1976

Experience the transcendental soundtrack of the historic 1976 Mayapur Festival.

Recorded live from the veranda of the original Lotus Building, these sweet bhajans resonated across the entire Mayapur Chandrodaya Mandir grounds, filling the atmosphere with Hare Krishna kirtan during the festival.

This rare vintage recording features the wonderful bhajan group trio, including Murari Hari dasa (ACBSP), delivering a deeply meditative kirtan experience. Murari Hari dasa was deeply involved in Mayapur at this time. In early 1976, Srila Prabhupada personally heard him singing, called him upstairs, and instructed him to do kirtan in the temple and teach the international disciples how to sing Bengali-style bhajans. This set the foundation for his prominent veranda and temple singing.

The 1976 festival culminated on March 16th with a historic Gaura Purnima lecture by Srila Prabhupada. He reminded the crowded room of international devotees exactly why they had all gathered in this remote part of West Bengal:

"Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu appeared this day for giving mercy to the fallen souls who are so foolish, they cannot take to Kṛṣṇa consciousness. He is personally teaching how to take to Kṛṣṇa consciousness. And that is this kīrtana."

— Srila Prabhupada, Gaura Purnima Lecture, Mayapur, March 16, 1976

Fifty years later, the Mayapur city has greatly expanded and the crowds have grown into the millions, but the essence remains the same. When we listen to the scratchy, tape-hiss recordings of Murari Hari dasa's 1976 veranda bhajans, we aren't just listening to music—we are listening to the very foundation upon which modern Mayapur was built.

You can listen to the archival audio of this lecturel on YouTube by checking out the Sri Gaura Purnima 1976 Mayapur Lecture, of Srila Prabhupada speaking to the international gathering of devotees during the festival.

You can also find similar 1979 recording sessions on YouTube, such as the Mayapur Bhajans 1 - Murari Hari Dasa, which showcases the distinct, soulful style of his vintage recordings.

1976 Recording

From the archives of Gopati dasa (ACBSP)

Remastered in 2024 by Uttamasloka dasa (ACBSP)

Video images

1974, 1975 and 1976 images of Mayapur from the archives of Gopati dasa (ACBSP)

#Mayapur1976 #ISKCONHistory

#Mayapur1976 #ISKCONHistory